Mortgage licensing / Washington
Washington Mortgage Loan Originator License
individual licence · NMLS WAORIGINATOR_I · DFI
This License is required for: individuals originating loans for Washington licensed Mortgage Brokers and Consumer Loan Companies, the direct, day to day supervisor over WA MLOs for a Washington licensed Consumer Loan Company, independent contractor processors representing licensed or exempt Mortgage Brokers and Consumer Loan Companies, and individuals originating loans for a Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs)
Requirements (3)
Step 1
Company Sponsorship: Employer submits sponsorship request after application submission. Washington DFI allows “Approved-Inactive” license status for individuals who completed all requirements but are without sponsorship. “Approved-Inactive” does not allow the individual to conduct activities requiring licensure under Washington law.Submitted via: NMLS
Step 2
Legal Name/Status Documentation: Upload a birth certificate or passport copy if the applicant does not have a full middle name or a middle initial only in their legal name that's listed on their NMLS record.Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: Upload document in NMLS in the Agency Guidance section under Document Type Legal Name/Status Documentation.
Step 3
Military Member, Veteran, and Spouse/Dependent Required Documentation: 1. Upload required documents listed below: • Active Duty Military Member: Upload valid military ID and assigning orders • Veterans: Upload copy of DD Form 214 • Spouses: Upload valid military ID and marriage certificate • Dependents: Upload valid military ID 2. Email Expedited Application to MortgageLicensing@dfi.wa.gov after application submission in NMLS. This notifies processors to start review of application.Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: Upload document in NMLS in the Agency Guidance section under Document Type Servicemember or Veteran Documentation. Email to: MortgageLicensing@dfi.wa.gov
General information
Who Is Required To Have This License?
Any individual, unless exempt from licensing, who for direct or indirect compensation or gain, or in the expectation of direct or indirect compensation or gain (i) takes a residential mortgage loan application, (ii) offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan, or (iii) performs residential mortgage loan modification services. A mortgage loan originator also includes an individual who holds themselves out to the public as able to perform any of these activities. A MLO license is also required for individuals who are an independent contractor loan processor or underwriter or the direct, day to day supervisor over WA MLOs working for a Washington licensed Consumer Loan Company.
Active Duty Military Member, Veteran, and Spouse/Dependent(s): An individual that is a current military member, veteran, or spouse of a military member or veteran is eligible for an expedited application review. See Expedited Application instructions on page three for required documents.
Pre-licensure Education: Prior to application submission, complete 22 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensure education (PE), including 4 hours in Washington law.
Testing: Must satisfy one of the following three conditions:
• Passing results on both the National and Washington State components of the SAFE Test, or
• Passing results on both the National and Stand-alone UST components of the SAFE Test, or
• Passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content
Paper Licenses: Washington DFI does not issue paper licenses for this license type.
Other Washington mortgage licenses
- Exempt Mortgage Broker Registration
- Mortgage Broker Branch Office License
- Mortgage Broker License
- All 4 Washington licenses
Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated September 8, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.